Wilt

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪlt

Recorded since 1691, probably an alteration of welk, itself from Middle English welken, presumed from Middle Dutch (preserved in modern inchoative verwelken) or Middle Low German welken ("to wither"), cognate with Old High German irwelhen ("to become soft").

Full definition of wilt

Verb

1. (intransitive) To droop or become limp and flaccid (as a dying leaf or flower).
2. (intransitive) To fatigue; to lose strength.
• 2011, September 27, Alistair Magowan, Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City, Not only were Jupp Heynckes' team pacey in attack but they were relentless in their pursuit of the ball once they had lost it, and as the game wore on they merely increased their dominance as City wilted in the Allianz Arena.
3. (transitive) To cause to droop or become limp and flaccid (as a flower).
4. (transitive) To cause to fatigue; to exhaust.

Noun

1. The act of wilting or the state of being wilted.
2. Any of various plant diseases characterized by wilting.

Verb

1. (archaic)

   wilt

   (archaic second-person singular of will)